ALHAJ M. MUHAMMED ISMAIL SAHIB

The words Quaide Milleth mean Guide of the people and leader of the community. Quaide Milleth Alhaj Muhammed Ismail Sahib was born in 1896 at Pettai, Tirunelveli, bloomed on the horizon of Tamil Nadu public life and the fragrance of his service blossomed across the whole India, even crossing India. Ismail Sahib was ignited into Indias freedom struggle by Mahatma Gandhi. He shared the political stage with stalwarts like Shri. Rajagopalachari and Dr. C.N. Annadurai. He was an exemplary legislator for many years. He was an activist in Khilafath Movement. His participation in the fund mobilization for Jamia Millia by Dr. Zakir Hussain exemplified his magnanimity.

The unfortunate events of 1947 had created a sense of insecurity in the minds of minority Muslims. The Muslim minority in India had no hopes of peaceful and honorable existence. At that time of darkness and desperation there appeared a ray of hope from a remote corner and shone with all its brilliance with such sustained velocity and effulgence that removed doubts from the Muslims of India. The light, in course of time, was acclaimed as the only source of guidance to the Indian minorities. Janab M. Muhammed Ismail Sahib became the Quaide-Milleth, the sole and undisputed leader of the community.

This sober, soft spoken, and serene leader had a profound sense of expediency based on the firm foundations of humanism, spiritualism and patriotism and excelled the greatest of the Age in silent diplomacy and political superiority. He had an iron will and accepted all challenges with courage and convictions. Thiru Madhavamenon Minister for Education, by a special order, changed the name of the Government Mohammedan College, Mount Road, Madras into Government Arts College, Madras. Quaide-Milleth made forceful pleas and requested the Government to honour the rights of minorities but fell on deaf ears. Quaide-Milleth accepted the challenge with grace and dignity and called upon the community to rise up to the occasion. Within three years Quaide Milleth had been able to establish the following erstwhile institutions with the active co-operation and support of the Muslim Philanthropists.

1. The New College, Madras
2. The Jamal Mohammed College, Trichy,
3. The Farookh College, (Kerala)

Besides the above, he was the soul behind the establishment of the

1. Haji Karutha Rowther Houdia College, Uthamapalayam
2. The Khader Mohideen College, Adirampattinam
3. Wakf Board College, Madurai,
4. Nawab Abdul Hakeem College, Melvisharam
5. Sadaqathullah Appa College, Palayamkottai,
6. Mazharl-Uloom College, Ambur and
7. The Zakir Hussain College, Ilayangudi.

Purity in public life, probity in public life made Ismail Sahib a rare and dear leader of all. He strove for the cause of Muslim community more, but not less for the cause of the Indian polity and for the cause of humanity. He was a guiding star without doubt.

Chronology:

• 1920 he was doing his B.A., in the Christian College, Madras, took part in non-cooperation movement.
• Decade preceding 1935 he gradually came under the sobering influence of his political mentor, Janab Jamal Mohamed Sahib a close associate of Gandhiji and was thus in the thick of congress politics.
• 1936 congress sponsored candidate Jamal Mohamed got defeated by Mr. T. T. Krishnamachari in the Madras City constituency election. Quaide Milleth decided to quit congress and join the Muslim League.
• 1st December 1947 he attended the last council meeting of the All India Muslim League at Karachi where the League was bifurcated and he was made the convenor for the Indian counterpart.
• He declined to accept the divided assets of the old League lest his action should be misconstrued as building up the organization with finances form other country.
• 1965 Indo-Pak war QM assured the PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, the whole hearted and unflinching support of the entire Muslim community to the Government. He offered his only son to be recruited in the Indian Army to defend the motherland.
• 1971 Bangla Desh crisis proved his support and loyalty to India.
• On 5-4-1972 the leader of the masses Quaide Milleth left for heavenly abode.